Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-23
GEO. CURTIS, GENT.

Studying the action and temper OF this
years Democratic state conventions, Mr.
Geo. w. Curtis, the editor Of Harper's
Weekly finds two facts clearly apparent
Democratic hostility to Mr.. Cleveland.
and Democratic conviction that he is the
inevitable candidate for the party of 1888.
because to nominate anybody else would
be to invite and probably assure defeat at
the polls. This being the situation, what
will the so called mugwumps do next year,
That depends. They voted for Mr.. Cleve-
land in 1884, the editor points out, In Or
der to defeat Mr.. Blaine. While most of
them liked Mr.. Cleyeland's reform doings
as governor Of New York, and voted for
him the more easily because of them, it Is
Mr.. Curtis impression that the mngwump
bolt of 1884 would not have occurred If
"any other prominent Republican had
been nominated at Chicago Moreover,
Mr.. Cleveland's strength as candidate in
1884 did not lie $50 far as the mugwumps
were concerned) in the fact that he was
Democrat but in ''the belief that, although
a Democrat, he was man of certain con-
viction which his party did not share, and
of independence and courage" If this is
80, obviously to shake that belief Is
to weaken Mr.. Cleveland as candidate
next time. Just as far as his party
succeeds In bulldozing him In the matter of
spoils, "just so far he loses the confidence
that elected him In 1884" Mr.. Curtis, for
his part, still preserves his faith in the
presid ents sincerity. He Is at pains to re,
mark that Mr.. Cleveland's inability to
force his views" doesn't create presump-
ton that any probable" Republican presi-
dent would be better or do better. But he
says that the Republican party contains
more positive friends of reform than the
Democratic
Evidently Ar. Curtis, representing the
mugwump element, wants to be consulted
by the Republican party in the matter of
selecting it candidate next year. His
course and every expression is a standing
taunt to the party. The plain English of
his position is like this: eff you will let
me name the candidate and dictate the
party policy during the compaign, we will
do so and permit the party to unite with
US In ousting the Cleveland regime; if not,
we will continue to serve it" Mr.. Curtis
acknowledges his disappointment at the
outcome of his civil service faux pas under
Cleveland's double dealing, vocillatiDg
course, but he has not the moral courage
to back up the confession by renouncing
whatever allegiance he may feel to owe the
and return to the party he
deserted In the hour Of its extremity and
make amends by loyal service as in the
past.
AS to Mr.. Blanche has not given out any
so much as indicating desire for
the nomination, nor would the Republican
party be bound to make him Its nominee
were he.ever SO anxious for 1t. In choosing
Its candidate the party will not be guided by
the personal desires, ambition or claims of
any man, as 1t will not be dictated to by
any individual or coterie of soreheads. If
the delegated representatives Of the party
In convention assembled shall deem it to
the best interests of the party to nominate
Mr.. Blaine 1t will do so without consulting
the whims Of anybody. The party has a
mission to perform to the country, and 1t
will honestly endeavor to fulfill it in the
future as 1t has in the past. Republicans
admire Mr.. Curtis genius and his services
n the interest of the party and while they
would be pleased to have him join them in
he great battle for the right, the privilege
If aiding and abetting the enemy is his to
exercise to his hearts content.